Bathtub and similar structure



Dec. 3, 1:929. J. A. MILLER l 1,738,256 I- BTHTUB AND SIMILAR STRUCTURE Filea Deo. e, v1928 Patented Dec. 3, 1929 UNITED `STATES JEAN A MILLER, F BLUE ISLAND, ILLINOIS :BATHTUB AND SIMILAR STRUCTURE Application led December 6, 1928. Serial No. 324,085.

This invention relates to improvements in bath tubs and similar structures and its consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

- In bath tubs as now made and having rim and apron parts engaged by portions of the bathroom wall finishes, such as tiling or plaster, the usual settling ofthe tub causes i0 the formation of a soiledcrack or line about said tub parts, which is extremely obj ectional and unsightlyand defies repair and oblitera tion by patching and filling in.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a bath tub having rim and apron parts so formed as to coact with the wall finishing elements to accommodate for the settling of the tub, in a manner preventing the formation lof the objectionable soiled crack or line before mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lbath tub having rim and a'pron parts which include offset portions acting not only as elements for properly positioning the tub with respect -to the wall supporting means or studding, but also as supports or shoulders against which the wall finishing elements engage in a manner permitting the inevitable relative movement between the tub and wall without the objections heretofore noted.

These objects of the invention as well as others together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawing z- A Fig. 1 is a perspective sectional view of a bath tub embodying the preferred form of the invention as it appears in connection with adjacent bath room wall parts.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the tub on a reduced scale.

Fig. 8 is a Vertical detail sectional view on an enlarged scale through a rim part of the tub and adjacent parts of a tiled wall of a bathroom.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing the arrangement for a plastered instead of a tiled wall.

The invention is herein illustrated and will be herein described as embodied in a bath tub and adjacent wall parts, but this is to be considered merely as illustrative of one phase of the invention because as will be apparent the invention isalso applicable to lavatories, sinks and similar articles where it is desired that the same be placed with portions engaged against adjacent wall parts.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the ac' companying drawings :-1 indicates the tub U0 as a whole which includes the usual basinlike body 2, having front, rear and end rim parts 3, 4 and 5 respectively at its top, in the manner well known. In this' instance the tub is of the built in type and depending from C5 the front rim part is an apron 6 extending the full length of the tub as a whole and of a depth approximating that of the ,basin to assist the same in providing a stable base for the tub.

In installing such tubs in a bath room' it is the vcommon practice to first position the tub against the wall studding and in applying the usual wall finishes such as tiling or plaster, portions ofsuch elements are rested or engaged directly upon the rim and apron parts. Under lsuch conditions, when the tub has settled as tubs of this kind invariably do, the rim parts pull away from the wall finish with the result that an objectionable soiled SU crack or line forms about several of the rim parts which defies obliteration by patching or filling in.

In accordance with my invention, I provide in connection with the rim parts at the S5 rear side and at both ends of the tub, downwardly offset wall finish supporting or engaging members 4a and 5a respectively each spaced a distance below the associated rim parts by a vertically 'disposed shoulder 4b 90 and 5b respectively. In this instance said members are inthe form of a flange which extends about the rear and both ends ofthe tub and connects with a similar flange (ifL integral with but offset inwardly from the apron 6 at each end thereof.

The flange parts 4ta-5a and aare preferably of a Width approximating the thickness of the wall elements applied to the studding while the shoulders LP---b and 6b may be of 100 any suitable depth. Preferably I-make the shoulders about an inch 'deep because this distance is much greater than the actual settling ofthe tub which acccording to observations approximates about a quarter of an inch. Preferably but not necessarily so the less than that of the depth of the flange.'

Wall finish in the form of tile 1() is applied, with the bottommost course engaged with the'flange and with the glazed side engaging the shoulder 4b (5b and 6b). Should the tub settle as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig.

- 3, the shoulder 4b moves or slides downwardly the tub settle, it will move or slide downalong the glazed face of the tile, exposing portions of the glazed face of the tile heretofore concealed behind the shoulder so that no objectionable soiledcrack shows up but the appearance is the same as it was before. By reason of the flange a'joining the flange a'as shown in Fig. 2, no opening appears at the corner 11 defined by the meeting ofthe rim part 5 and apron 6 at either end of theA tub.

In buildings where a wall construction less expensive than a tiled -one is desired, I provide a substantially L shaped sheet metal finishing strip indicated as a whole at 12 in Fig. 4. In the use of such a finishing meinber on a plaster wall, wood lath 8a is applied to the studding 7. The finishing Astrip 12 which has a horizontal base 12a -of a width equalling that of the flange 4 and an upright facing portion 12bvwith an inturned flange 12c at its top, is then set in place with the outer surfaceof the facing portion in engagement with the shoulder 4b. The facing portion 12 is preferably finished off before the finishing member as a whole is set in place after'which a rough coat 13 of plaster isapplied to the lath and then a finishing coat 14 is applied to the rough coat. In this respect, the finishing coat may be scored off to simulate tile when the finishing member will simulate the first course thereof. Should wardly with respect to the wall finish as a 'whole and thus expose another Vportion of the finishing member without the formation of any cracks or the like.

The improved construction eliminates any crack formation about the rim parts of the tub when the same settles and is indeed efcient fo'r its intended purpose. The flange parts of the tub do not appreciably increase the `cost of making the tub and it is of such -formation as to necessitate but little changes in the moulds for producing the same.

While in describing the invention I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the various parts thereof, the same is to be considered merely as illustrative so-that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as mayy specifically appear in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A bath tub comprising a tub body having a basin, side and end rim parts and an apron depending from at least one of said rim parts, walls extending from the rim part and from said apron with a flange arranged inwardly of the outermost portions of said walls whereby the tub is adapted to be asso` ciated into the walls of a building with the fiange overlapping with at least a portion of the building wall and with the wall on the tub concealing the joint of connection between the flange and the building wall.

2. In combination with a wall having a finishing element thereon, a bath tub supported in a position associated with the wall, said tub being provided with a rim part along substantially the portion of contact with the wall, the rim part being provided with a portion extending above the lower edge of the finishing element with a portion extending under the edge of the finishing element so that any settling of the tub will permit a relative movement between the tub and the finishing element while the lower end of the finishing element is still concealed behind the rim.

3. In combination with a wall having a finishing element thereon a bath tub supported in a position associated with the wall, said tub being provided with a rim part along substantially the portion of contact with the wall, the rim part being provided with a portion extending above the lower edge of the finishing element, means disposed under the edge of the finishing element and adapted to act as a guide in the positioning of the finishing element whereby the element may be readily positioned in the formation of the combination and any settling of the tub will permit a relative movement between the tub and the finishing element while the lower end of the finishing element is still concealed behind the rim.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 28th day of November, 1928.

JEAN A. MILLER. 

